An islander who set out to create Jersey’s first “eco-community” is hopeful the project will encourage greater use of sustainable building practices in the island.
Andrew Frigot is behind the La Porte development, a unique conversion of a Grade 3 listed farm complex in St Saviour – which includes a building dating back to the 15th century – into nine family homes of two- to four-bedroom properties.
Renewable energy generated on-site
The key feature of the “eco-community” is that all nine houses are connected to a special heating system that runs off 100% renewable energy generated on-site.
The set up, which utilises solar and wind energy to run twin industrial air source heat pumps, generates more than enough hot water to be circulated around the site via a network of heavily-insulated underground pipes connected to each house.
All the houses have been fitted with wet underfloor heating in every room, which draws on the circulated hot water to provide free heating in each home.
Mr Frigot, whose background includes working on developments in the UK as an electrician – and who also holds a degree in engineering – explained that the renewables generate more electricity than the heat pumps require, with the surplus electricity to be sold back to the grid to cover the annual maintenance of the heating system.
“An example” of what can be achieved”
The homes also boast high levels of insulation, low energy lighting and low energy kitchen appliances, as well as electric car charging facilities.
Mr Frigot said: “The site itself is nine houses, and all nine houses are connected to what we call the eco-hub, which is what’s providing all the free heating for them.”
He explained that three of the houses have been completed so far, with another due to be finished within a week.
Mr Frigot added that he had recently met Deputy Hilary Jeune, who chairs the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel.
“She wants to use us as an example to other local builders as to what can be achieved, not just the free heating, but the general kind of eco-ness of the site,” he explained.
“We try and do everything in an environmentally friendly-way.”
Pleasing the planning department
Mr Frigot also wanted the show that such a scheme was possible with existing buildings, including those that held historical interest.
“Right at the start of this, I was really nervous that they [planning] were just going to say no,” he explained.
“It could have all gone very, very wrong if I hadn’t been able to get planning approval.
“So my remit to the architect at the time, who was doing all that, was do whatever it takes, agree to whatever we need to, to get it through planning first time.
“We can always make amendments later, which is what they did.”
However, he said that Jersey’s planning department “really like” environmental schemes.
“They don’t want to tread on the toes of historical environment and other departments,” he said.
“However, if you’re going down the environmental route, and what you’re trying to do isn’t offensive to the other departments, doesn’t upset or go against their rules, then it is a feather to your bow when you’re applying.”
Mr Frigot acknowledged the challenges currently facing the construction sector, such as rises in material costs, but said he would “certainly recommend that other people build eco-communities”.
“If I had more backing financially or was working with a bigger company then I would definitely do it again,” he added.